Game system and game control method

ABSTRACT

A game system is provided where a main game and a second game can be executed, and a player can actively participate in a play. 
     In a game system where a main unit SV is connected to a plurality of game machines GM in which a play is conducted using a medal in a usual play, the main unit SV provides a second game which can be conducted in common at the plurality of game machines GM  1 -GM  4 . A token which is a play medium different from the metal is required for participating in the second game. The token is given when winning a lottery based on bet number information for each play in the game machines GM.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a control device which is connectableto a plurality of game devices for a game in which a play medium is paidout according to a result of the game, and which provides a common game(a second game) to the plurality of game devices, and relates to a gamesystem to which these are connected.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, in a game system having this kind of control device,while a player (a game player) is playing a 1st game (a main game) ateach game device (hereinafter referred to as “a game machine”), at apredetermined timing, a 2nd game (a second game) in which respectiveplayers playing at a plurality of game machines can participate at thesame time is executed. In this manner, the second game different fromthe game which serves as the main game can be played at the same gamedevice. Hence, it is possible to provide a game with which a player isnot easily bored compared with a game in which a play is conducted onlywith one main game.

For example, in a game system of PLT1, when a player wins a right toshift to a second game, this right is temporarily stocked. Additionally,since the player, who is playing at the game machine, is informed of thestocked right. Accordingly, the player can have a willingness toactively participate in the second game.

Further, a game system of PLT2 enables each player to participate in asecond game using a credit won in a main game.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   PLT1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.    2008-49133-   PLT2: United States Patent Application Publication No. 2005/218590

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, in the conventional technologies (PLT1 and PLT2), it isnecessary to allot an appreciable extent of a total amount of play mediapaid back to the player to a payback by the second game, so as to makethe second game attractive for the player. However, it is necessary tokeep the amount of medals paid back by the first game to be low, and theconsumption of play media becomes high compared with a game without asecond game as described above. Therefore, as a result, it becomes agame which easily consumes the play media equal to or more than the playmedia inwardly acceptable for the player until the second game isgenerated, resulting in a reduction of enjoyment of a main game.

Additionally, in the conventional technologies, there is a possibilitythat the ability to pull in more customers decreases, due to thepsychology of the player that it may take time until the next secondgame is started immediately after a high dividend is paid out, orimmediately after the second game ends.

Furthermore, in the conventional technologies, in order to participatein the second game, it is necessary that the first game is being playedimmediately before the start of the second game. However, the playercannot know in advance when the second game will be held, since theholding time of the second game is irregular. Therefore, it is necessaryfor the player to keep playing of the first game, so that the player canparticipate in the second game whenever the second game is held.Moreover, in such a game machine, it is necessary to separately providea means for determining whether or not the player is continuouslyconducting the play, and a cumbersome processing is required.

Additionally, in a case where the right to shift to the second game isstocked as in the above-mentioned PLT1, the player can use the stockedright to shift to the second game. However, after the second game isexecuted, a state occurs where the right that has been stocked till thenis consumed. Thus, there is a trigger that the player stops playing ofthe main game at that time.

Further, in the game system where the credit won in the main game isused to participate in the second game as in the above-mentioned PLT2, abetting amount in the second game depends on credits won in each maingame. Therefore, when the betting amount in each main game is greatlydifferent from each other, the differences in winning credits won as theresults of the main games naturally become great among the players. Inthis manner, there is a possibility that the players feel unfairness,since the betting amount in the second game is greatly different foreach of the players.

Furthermore, some conventional technologies include a game system inwhich the amount of credits paid back in a second game is decided byconsidering the betting amount in a main game immediately before thesecond game is started. In such a game system, naturally, it becomeseasier for a player, who plays the main game with a large amount ofnumber of betting credits, to win a large amount of credits also in thesecond game. On the other hand, a player with a small betting amount canonly obtain the number of credits that is not necessarily attractive forthe player. Hence, there is a possibility that the motivation forparticipating in a play is reduced.

The present invention has been made to solve these conventionalproblems, and an object is to provide a game system where a main gameand a second game can be executed, and a player can actively participatein a play.

Solution to Problem

The present invention is a central control device that is connectable toa plurality of play devices in which a play can be executed by using apredetermined play medium, and provides to the plurality of play devicesa second play different from the play, the central control deviceincluding: play media usage number information reception means forreceiving play media usage number information with respect to the playfrom each of the plurality of play devices; and specific play medialottery means for executing a lottery on whether or not to give aspecific play medium required when participating in the second play,based on the play media usage number information received by the playmedia usage number information reception means.

According to the present invention, the specific play medium which isdifferent from the predetermined play medium used in a usual play (eachplay conducted at each play device) is required for participating in thesecond play. Additionally, as for the giving of the specific playmedium, a lottery is held based on the usage number information ofpredetermined play media used (bet, inserted) in the usual play. Withsuch a configuration, even when a plurality of players conduct thesecond play together, they can conduct the second play by betting thespecific play media having the same value. Therefore, it is possible toprovide a play which does not cause a feeling of unfairness among theplayers simultaneously participating in the second play.

In the present invention, the specific play media lottery means holdsthe lottery with lottery tables of different winning rates in accordancewith a number of the play media based on the play media usage numberinformation.

According to the present invention, the winning probability of thelottery of giving the specific play medium changes, in accordance withthe betting amount at the time when the player conducts the play at theplay device. For example, when the winning probability is set high ifthe betting amount is large, and the winning probability is low if thebetting amount is small, it is possible to increase the probability ofgiving the specific play medium if the betting amount is increased.Therefore, even in a case where players conduct plays at the playdevices with the different betting amounts or the different settings, itis possible to provide a play which does not cause a feeling ofunfairness among the players.

In the present invention, the specific play media lottery means holdsthe lottery only by a predetermined number of times for a number of theplay media used based on the play media usage number information.

According to the present invention, the lottery of giving the specificplay medium is held only by the predetermined number of times inaccordance with the betting amount when the player conducts the play atthe play device. For example, when the number of times of lottery isincreased if the betting amount is large, and the number of times oflottery is decreased if the betting amount is small, it is possible toincrease the probability of giving the specific play medium if thebetting amount is increased. Therefore, even in a case where the playersconduct plays at the play devices with the different betting amounts orthe different settings, it is possible to provide a play which does notcause a feeling of unfairness among the players.

In the present invention, the play media usage number informationreception means receives, as the play media usage number information,betting amount information with respect to the play from each of theplurality of play devices, and the specific play media lottery meansexecutes a lottery on whether or not to give a specific play mediumrequired when participating in the second play, based on the bettingamount information received by the play media usage number informationreception means.

According to the present invention, as for the giving of the specificplay medium, a lottery is held based on the betting amount informationof the predetermined play medium bet in the usual play. With such aconfiguration, even when a plurality of players conduct the second playtogether, they can conduct the second play by betting the specific playmedia having the same value. Therefore, it is possible to provide a playwhich does not cause a feeling of unfairness among the playerssimultaneously participating in the second game.

In the present invention, the play media usage number informationreception means receives, as the play media usage number information,insertion information of the play medium with respect to the play fromeach of the plurality of play devices, and the specific play medialottery means executes a lottery on whether or not to give a specificplay medium required for participating in the second play, based on theinsertion number information received by the play media usage numberinformation reception means.

According to the present invention, as for the giving of the specificplay medium, a lottery is held based on the inserted number informationon the predetermined play media inserted in the usual play. With such aconfiguration, even when a plurality of players conduct the second playtogether, they can conduct the second play by betting the specific playmedia having the same value. Therefore, it is possible to provide a playwhich does not cause a feeling of unfairness among the playerssimultaneously participating in the second game.

In the present invention, a specific play media storage means forstoring that the specific play medium is given, when winning the lotteryby the specific play media lottery means; and a specific play mediumgiving informing means for informing, when giving of the specific playmedium is stored in the specific play media storage means, that thegiving of the specific play medium is stored in the specific play mediastorage means are further provided.

According to the present invention, the central control device storesthat the specific play medium is given, and also informs the player thatthe specific play medium is given. As a result, it is possible to informthe player of the acquisition of the specific play medium, and topositively motivate the player to participate in the second play.

In the present invention, a second play control means forstarting/executing the second play at predetermined intervals is furtherprovided.

According to the present invention, the second play which can be enjoyedin common at a plurality of play devices is started/executed at thepredetermined intervals. That is, by periodically holding the secondplay, there is no possibility that the player consumes the play mediamore than expected by continuously playing the main game at the gamedevice until the second game is held, or possibility that the motivationfor playing is decreased because the player worries about theprobability that the second game may not be conducted in the worst case,since the player does not know when the 2nd game (the second play) willbe held as in a conventional manner. Therefore, it is possible toactively involve the player in participating in the main game.

In the present invention, the play media usage number informationreception means receives the play media usage number information withrespect to the play from the plurality of play devices after convertinga value of one play medium used in each of the plurality of play devicesinto a common.

According to the present invention, when the values of the play mediaare different for the plurality of play devices, the values areconverted (adjusted) into common values and then are received as theplay media usage number information. The values of the play media beingdifferent means that, for example, “ten play media are required whenconducting a play once in a play device 1, and one play medium isrequired when conducting a play once in a play device 2”, or that, evenin a case where the same play medium is used, the values are differentfor the play devices, such as “one play medium has a value by which tentimes of play can be conducted in the play device 1, and one play mediumhas only a value by which play can be conducted once in the play device2”. Therefore, even in a case where the values of one play medium aredifferent among the plurality of play devices, an equal lottery can beheld after converting these different values into common, when holdingthe lottery of the specific play media, and unfairness is not causedamong the players.

A game system of the present invention includes a plurality of gamedevices in which a game can be executed each time using a predeterminedplay medium, and a central control device that is connected to theplurality of game devices and provides a second game common to theplurality of game devices, the game device including play media usagenumber transmission means for transmitting play media usage numberinformation to the central control device, and the central controldevice including play media usage number information reception means forreceiving the play media usage number information transmitted from theplay media usage number transmission means; specific play media lotterymeans for executing a lottery on whether or not to give a specific playmedium required when participating in the second game, based on the playmedia usage number information; and specific play media storage meansfor storing that the specific play medium is given, when winning thelottery by the specific play media lottery means.

According to the present invention, the specific play medium which isdifferent from the predetermined play medium used in a usual play (eachplay conducted at each play device) is required for participating in thesecond play. Additionally, as for the giving of the specific playmedium, a lottery is held based on the usage number information (theinformation on the betting amount, the information the inserted number,etc.) of predetermined play media bet in the usual play. With such aconfiguration, even when a plurality of players conduct the second playtogether, they can conduct the second play by betting the specific playmedia having the same value. Therefore, it is possible to provide a playwhich does not cause a feeling of unfairness among the playerssimultaneously participating in the second play. Further, the centralcontrol device stores that the specific play medium is given, and theplayer is also informed that the specific play medium is given. As aresult, it is possible for the player to know the acquisition of thespecific play medium, and to have a motivation for participating in thesecond play.

In the game system of the present invention, the central control devicefurther includes second game control means for starting/executing thesecond game at predetermined intervals.

According to the present invention, the second play which can be enjoyedin common at a plurality of play devices is started/executed at thepredetermined intervals. That is, by periodically holding the secondplay, there is no possibility that the player consumes the play mediamore than expected by continuously playing the main game at the gamedevice until the second game is held, or possibility that the motivationfor playing is decreased because the player worries about theprobability that the second game may not be conducted in the worst case,since the player does not know when the 2nd game (the second game) willbe held as in a conventional manner. Therefore, it is possible toactively involve the player in participating in the main game.

In the game system of the present invention, the central control devicefurther includes second game privilege giving means for giving, when awin is obtained as a result of the second game, the play medium used inthe game device as a privilege for the win.

According to the game system of the present invention, the specific playmedium is required for participating in the second game, while the playmedium given when winning the second game is the predetermined playmedium used in the usual play. Therefore, the player can enjoy the maingame and the second game smoothly, since it is not necessary for theplayer to convert the specific play media given into the predeterminedplay media (realization) for using them in the usual play. Therefore, inthe game system where the main game and the second game can be executed,it is possible to positively involve the players in participating in theplays.

In the game system of the present invention, the play media usage numberinformation reception means receives play media usage number informationwith respect to the play from the plurality of game devices afterconverting a value of one play medium used in each of the plurality ofgame devices into a common.

According to the game system of the present invention, when the valuesof the play media are different for the plurality of play devices, thevalues are converted (adjusted) into common values, and then arereceived as the play media usage number information. The values of theplay media being different means that, for example, “ten play media arerequired when conducting a play once in the play device 1, and one playmedium is required when conducting a play once in the play device 2”, orthat, even in a case where the same play medium is used, the values aredifferent for the play devices, such as “one play medium has a value bywhich ten times of play can be conducted in the play device 1, and oneplay medium has only a value by which play can be conducted once in theplay device 2”. Therefore, even in a case where the value of one playmedium is different among the plurality of play devices, an equallottery can be held after converting these different values into common,when holding the lottery of the specific play media, and unfairness isnot caused among the players.

A control method of a game system according to the present invention isa control method of a game system where a plurality of game devices, inwhich a game can be executed each time using a predetermined playmedium, are connected to a central control device that is connected tothe plurality of game devices and provides a second game common to theplurality of game devices, the control method including: play mediausage number obtaining step for obtaining play media usage numberinformation used to an execution of a game in each of the plurality ofgame devices; specific play media lottery step for executing a lotteryon whether or not to give a specific play medium required whenparticipating in the second game, based on the play media usage numberinformation obtained by the play media usage number obtaining step; andspecific play media storage step for storing that the specific playmedium is given, when winning the lottery in the specific play medialottery step.

According to the control method of the game system of the presentinvention, the usage number information (the information on the bettingamount, the information of the inserted number, etc.) of thepredetermined play media bet in the usual play is obtained, and thelottery of giving of the specific play medium is held based on the usagenumber information obtained on this occasion. Additionally, when thespecific play medium is given, the giving of the specific play medium isstored. With such a configuration, even when a plurality of playersconduct the second game together, they can conduct the second game bybetting the specific play media having the same value. Therefore, it ispossible to provide a play which does not cause a feeling of unfairnessamong the players simultaneously participating in the second game. As aresult, the player can know the acquisition of the specific play medium,and can have a motivation for participating in the second game.

In the control method of game system according to the present invention,the play media usage number information obtaining step further includesplay media value conversion step for play media usage number informationwith respect to the play from the plurality of game devices, andconverting a value of one play medium used in each of the plurality ofgame devices into a common.

According to the control system of the game system of the presentinvention, when the values of the play media are different for theplurality of play devices, the play media usage number obtaining stepfurther includes the play media value conversion step for converting(adjusting) the values into common values. The values of the play mediabeing different means that, for example, “ten play media are requiredwhen conducting a play once in the play device 1, and one play medium isrequired when conducting a play once in the play device 2”, or that,even in a case where the same play medium is used, the values aredifferent for the play devices, such as “one play medium has a value bywhich ten times of play can be conducted in the play device 1, and oneplay medium has only a value by which play can be conducted once in theplay device 2”. Therefore, even in a case where the value of one playmedium is different among the plurality of play devices, an equallottery can be held after converting these different values into common,when holding the lottery of the specific play media, and unfairness isnot caused among the players.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a maingame which does not damage the charms of a game that can be originallyobtained, in a game system where a main game and a second game can beexecuted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a figure illustrating an embodiment of a game system accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of agame device (a first game housing) GM of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory drawing illustrating symbol rows used in thegame device GM of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the game device GM of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a control program of the game deviceGM of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of amain unit (a second game housing) SV of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating control in the mainunit SV of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating control in a first game housingpart.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating control of a second game controlpart.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating token lottery processing.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating second game execution processing.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a token lottery by a token lotterypart.

FIG. 13 is a figure illustrating an image of a roulette game displayedon a second game monitor of the main unit SV.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating processing of a roulette gameperformed by a second game executing part.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a game system according to the presentinvention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory drawing illustrating an embodiment of a gamesystem according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective viewillustrating an external appearance of a game device (a first gamehousing) GM of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an explanatory drawing illustratingsymbol rows used in the game device GM of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a blockdiagram which functionally illustrates the game device GM of FIG. 1, andFIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a main processing program in thegame device of FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, a game system isconstructed where a main unit (a second game housing) SV is connected toa plurality of different game devices (hereinafter referred to as “thegame machines”) GM 1, GM 2, GM 3 and GM 4 (It is not limited to fourdevices.) through a network NW. In addition, it can be a gaming machine,or a play machine or the like, a main purpose of which is betting,though it is referred to as the game device or the game machine in thepresent embodiment.

Additionally, the game machines GM 1-GM 4 correspond to play devices inthe present embodiment, and the main unit SV corresponds to a centralcontrol device in the present embodiment.

The game machines GM 1-GM 4 include a cabinet 2 which forms the entiretythereof, as illustrated in FIG. 2 (the GM 1 is illustrated as an examplein this figure). A JP informing lamp 11 (a second display part), whichis formed by a revolving light for informing a player of informationrelated to a 2nd game (also referred to as a second game, and will bedescribed in details later), is provided on a top part of the cabinet 2.The jackpot informing lamp 11 is lit for a short time period when thegame device GM can participate in a jackpot lottery, so that the statusof the jackpot lottery can be visibly confirmed.

A main monitor 3 (a first indicator) is arranged at an equipment frontpanel 6 provided in a front center part of the cabinet 2. Moreover, asub-monitor 4 (a second indicator) is arranged at a front upper part ofthe cabinet 2. The main monitor 3 and the sub-monitor 4 are formed byliquid crystal displays used widely in general.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, on the main monitor 3, a credit is displayed,and three variable display parts 21, 22 and 23 are also displayed. Itshould be noted the credit in the present embodiment represents avirtual play medium such as electronic data, and indicates a concept ofa unit value of betting in a play machine. On each of the variabledisplay parts 21-23, various symbols described later are variablydisplayed while scrolling from an upper direction toward a lowerdirection (hereinafter also referred to as “the scrolling display”).Then, the various symbols are stopped and displayed. In this manner, aslot game, which is an original game of the game machine GM, isexecuted.

Moreover, as illustrated in the figure, usually, the sub-monitor 4displays a list of dividend of each prize of the slot game in the gamemachine GM, and displays the status of play of the second game when thesecond game is executed in the main unit SV, details of which will bedescribed later. Hereinafter, a game executed in the game machine GM isreferred to as a main game (a first game).

As described above, in the game machine GM according to the presentembodiment, usually, the slot game (a usual game and a bonus game),which is the main game, is conducted with video reels realized byscrolling displaying symbol rows 31-33 described later (see FIG. 3) fromthe upper direction toward the lower direction, on the respectivevariable display parts 21-23 of the main monitor 3. After apredetermined time has elapsed, the symbol rows 31-33 scrollingdisplayed are stopped and displayed with a predetermined combination ofsymbols. Then, in this slot game (the usual game and the bonus game), acredit is given when the symbols which are stopped and displayed on avalid winning line L (indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2) on each ofthe variable display parts 21-23 are a predetermined combination, andthe player progresses the play by using the symbol rows displayed andvarious operation buttons.

Additionally, an operating table 5 projecting toward a front side isprovided below the main monitor 3. As illustrated in FIG. 2, theoperating table 5 is provided with a C/P (credit/payout) button 12, aBET (bet) button 13, a MAXBET (max bet) button 14, a repeat bet (REPEATBET) button 15, and a start button 16 are arranged in this order fromthe left. A medal insertion slot 9 is provided to the right side of thestart button 16.

The C/P button 12 is a button which is usually pressed when ending theplay, and a credit that the player currently possesses is paid out asmedals corresponding to the credit value thereof. Therefore, the medalsare paid out to the player from a hopper 17 (see FIG. 4) through a medalpayout port 7, when the C/P button 12 is pressed. In addition, when theC/P button 12 is not pressed, a medal(s) which is to be given as theprivilege as a result of the play is automatically carried forward asthe credit, and is stored in a medal storage part 140 (see FIG. 4).

Further, the BET button 13 is a button which is operated when bettingthe credited medal(s). Here, each time the BET button 13 is pressedonce, the number of bets is incremented by one with respect to the validwinning line L. In addition, only the number of bets is decremented byone from the credit that the player currently possesses. In a slotmachine 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to conducta game by setting the number of bets from “1” to “10” with respect tothe valid winning line L.

The MAXBET button 14 is a button which is operated when betting thecredited medals by the maximum number of bets (ten bets in the presentembodiment) with respect to the valid winning line L. Here, when theMAXBET button 14 is pressed in a case where the credit that the playercurrently possesses is ten or more, the number of bets with respect tothe valid winning line L is set to “10”. Additionally, in a case wherethe credit that the player currently possesses is ten or less, thenumber of bets with respect to the valid winning line is set to be thenumber of credits possessed.

Further, the repeat bet button 15 is a button which is operated whenstarting a game in the game machine GM based on a current number of betsor a previous number of bets. Therefore, when the repeat bet button 15is pressed, variable display of each of the symbols is started on eachof the variable display parts 21-23 of the main monitor 3, in a statewhere betting is made as many credits as the previous number of bets tothe valid winning line.

The start button 16 is a button which is operated when starting a gamein the game device GM 1, based on the number of bets which is bet by theBET button 13 and the MAXBET button 14. Therefore, when the start button16 is pressed, variable display of each of the symbols is started oneach of the variable display parts 21-23 of the main monitor 3.

In addition, a start switch 124 (see FIG. 4) is built into the startbutton 16. When the start button 16 is pressed, a switch signal from thestart switch 124 is output to a CPU 101 (see FIG. 4).

Moreover, at a lower part of the cabinet 2, the medal payout port 7 isformed, and a medal receiving part 8 which receives the medals paid outfrom the medal payout port 7 is provided. In addition, a medal detectionsensor (not shown) is arranged inside the medal payout port 7, and thenumber of medals paid out from the medal payout port 7 is detected bythe medal detection sensor.

Next, a description will be given of each of the symbol rows 31-33 whichare scrolling displayed, and are stopped and displayed on the variabledisplay parts 21-23 of the main monitor 3. FIG. 3 is a pattern diagramillustrating each of the symbol rows displayed on the variable displayparts 21-23 according to the present embodiment.

The symbol rows shown on the main monitor 3, which are scrollingdisplayed and are stopped and displayed, are three rows in total. Thesymbol row 31 is a symbol row variably displayed on the variable displaypart 21, the symbol row 32 is a symbol row variably displayed on thevariable display part 22, and the symbol row 33 is a symbol row variablydisplayed on the variable display part 23. Additionally, the usual gameand the bonus game described later are conducted by using each of thesymbol rows 31-33.

Both of the symbol rows 31 and 33 include the same symbol arrangement.Each of these symbol rows includes a arbitrary combination of elevensymbols, i.e., a plum 34, a woman 35, a cherry 36, a watermelon 37, aseven 38, a BAR 39, a bell 40, an apple 42, a star 43, a joker 44, and ablank (an area where a symbol does not exist) 41.

Moreover, the symbol row 32 includes a combination of the plum 34, thewoman 35, the cherry 36, the watermelon 37, the seven 38, the BAR 39,the bell 40, the apple 42, the star 43, the joker 44, and the blank (thearea where the symbol does not exist) 41, which is similar to the symbolrows 31 and 33, but the arrangement of the symbols is different.

Additionally, when each of the symbol rows 31-33 scrolled on each of thevariable display parts 21-23 is stopped and displayed, three symbols arestopped and displayed on the respective variable display parts 21-23.The symbols stopped and displayed on this occasion are preliminarilydecided based on the result of an internal lottery described later, anddisplay of the main monitor 3 is controlled based on the result.

Further, various prizes are preliminarily set based on a plurality ofkinds of combination of each of the symbols. When a combination of thesymbols corresponding to a prize stops on the valid winning line L, thecredit is incremented according to the prize. When the same kinds ofsymbols all stop on the valid winning line, a combination of the symbolscorresponding to a prize is completed, and payout of medalscorresponding to the prize, or the like, is carried out. The payoutnumber of medals according to main prizes are decided respectively asfollows: one thousand coins for the seven 38; five hundred medals forthe woman 35; five hundred medals for the BAR 39; one hundred medals forthe star 43; fifty medals for the watermelon 37; thirty medals for theapple 42; twenty medals for the bell 40; fifteen medals for the plum 34;and five medals for the cherry 36. In addition, the payout number ofthese medals may be increased in proportion to the number of bets.

Among the combinations of the symbols corresponding to the prizes, whenthe jokers 44 are stopped and displayed on the valid winning line L, aprivilege to shift to the bonus game described later is given. The bonusgame is a game which is conducted after the usual game is conducted whena predetermined specific prize is whether or not. Generally, the bonusgame is a game which is more advantageous for the player than the usualgame. In the present embodiment, the game machine GM includes the usualgame and the bonus game as the play contents. In the present embodiment,when shifting to the bonus game is made, the game is automaticallyconducted continuously for 10-20 games in accordance with a lotteryresult at the time of shifting to the bonus game, without betting thecredit or the like (a so-called free game).

Moreover, in the present embodiment, a slot game is executed as the maingame in the game machines GM 2-GM 4, as in the game machine GM 1, thoughit is not illustrated in detail in the figures. In addition, contents ofthe slot game in the game machines GM 1-GM 4, for example, types ofvarious kinds of symbols or a configuration thereof, or a dividend ofeach of the prizes or the like, may be different in each of the gamemachines GM 1-GM 4. In addition, the content of game in the gamemachines GM 1-GM 4 is not limited to the slot game, and may be a cardgame, a horseracing game, a racing game, a pusher game, a bingo game orthe like. Furthermore, each of the game machines GM 1-GM 4 may beconfigured with the above-mentioned different contents of game, forexample, the game machine GM 1 may be configured with the slot game, thegame machine GM 2 may be configured with the card game, . . . , the gamemachine GM 4 may be configured with the horseracing game. Additionally,the main game is not limited to a game which is conducted only by thegame machine GM, and may be a game that all or a part of the gamemachines GM 1-GM 4 execute the play together.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating control of the gamemachine GM. The game machine GM 1 is provided with a first game machineside control part 100 which is formed by including the CPU 101 is as amain portion, and executes various processing. A ROM 102 and a RAM 103are connected to the CPU 101. The ROM 102 stores a control program forusual game processing, bonus game processing and the like describedlater, and other various data tables which are necessary for the controlof the game machine GM, such as a lottery table for holding a lottery ofsymbols which are stopped and displayed in the usual game and the bonusgame. Moreover, the RAM 103 is a memory which temporarily stores variousdata calculated by the CPU 101.

A clock pulse generation means 110 for generating a standard clock pulseand a frequency divider 111 are connected to the CPU 101, and a randomnumber generator 112 which generates a random number and a random numbersampling means 113 are connected to the CPU 101. A random number sampledthrough the random number sampling means 113 is used for variouslotteries of prizes and the like. Furthermore, a C/P switch 120 attachedto the C/P button 12, a BET switch 121 attached to the BET button 13, aMAXBET switch 122 attached to the MAXBET button 14, and a repeat betswitch 123 attached to the repeat bet button 15 are connected to the CPU101, respectively. The CPU 101 performs control to execute variouscorresponding operations based on switch signals output from each of theswitches, when each of the buttons is pressed or the like.

Moreover, a medal sensor 125 arranged at the medal insertion slot 9 isconnected to the CPU 101. The medal sensor 125 detects a medal insertedfrom the medal insertion slot 9, and the CPU 101 calculates the numberof medals inserted in the medal insertion slot 9 by the player, based ona medal detection signal that is output from the medal sensor 125.

Moreover, the hopper 17 is connected to the CPU 101 through a hopperdrive means 130. When a driving signal is output from the CPU 101 to thehopper drive means 130, the hopper 17 pays out a predetermined number ofmedals from the medal payout port 7.

Moreover, the medal storage part 140 and a medal detection part 141 areconnected to the CPU 101 through a payout complete signal means 131.Here, the medal storage part 140 is a means for storing, as a credit, amedal inserted from the medal insertion slot 9 and a medal given as aprivilege, and can store the medals as the credit until a predeterminedmaximum allowable number of medals is reached. On the other hand, themedal detection part 141 is a means for counting medals paid out fromthe hopper 10.

Additionally, in a case where a medal is given as a privilege, when thepayout complete signal means 131 detects that the medal is stored as acredit, or payout of the medal from the hopper 10 is completed throughthe medal storage part 140 or the medal detection part 141, the payoutcomplete signal means 131 outputs a corresponding payout complete signalto the CPU 101. Furthermore, in a case where payout of the medal storedas the credit is performed, when the payout complete signal means 131detects that the payout of the medal stored as the credit from thehopper 10 is completed through the medal storage part 140 or the medaldetection part 141, the payout complete signal means 131 outputs acorresponding payout complete signal to the CPU 101.

Moreover, the main monitor 3 and the sub-monitor 4 are connected to theCPU 101 through a liquid crystal drive means 132, and the main monitor 3and the sub-monitor 4 are controlled by the CPU 101.

In addition, a speaker 10 is connected to the CPU 101 through a speakerdrive means 133. When various kinds of performance are conducted basedon an output signal from the speaker drive means 133, the speaker 10generates various sound effects.

Further, a first game machine side communication part 134 is connectedto the CPU 101. The first game machine side communication part 134 is adevice which converts and transmits to outside a signal to betransmitted from the game machine GM into a signal in a transmittableform according to a communication format of a phone line, a LAN cable orthe like, receives and converts an incoming signal into a signal in aform readable by the game machine GM. Further, the first game machineside communication part 134 is wirelessly connected to the network NW,and is connected to a server communication part of the main unit SV,which is described later, through the network NW.

It should be note that the first game machine side communication part134 corresponds to a betting amount information transmission means inthe present embodiment.

Next, the control program carried out in the game machine GM will beexplained based on FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the control programof the game machine GM. It should be noted that this control program isstored in the ROM 102 provided in the game machine GM, and is executedby the CPU 101.

(Step S1)

First, start reception processing is carried out in step 1. The startreception processing is processing which receives an execution start ofa slot game using a credit. Therefore, in the start receptionprocessing, determination is performed as to whether or not a creditexists.

The number of credits increases by inserting a medal from the medalinsertion slot 9 and winning in the slot game and a roulette game, anddecreases by betting in the slot game (the main game). That is, when thecredit is 0, the processing is on standby at the start receptionprocessing, until the credit increases by insertion of a medal.

When a credit exists, the CPU 101 receives switch signals that areoutput from the BET switch 121, the MAXBET switch 122, the repeat betswitch 123, and the start switch 124, based on an operation of the BETbutton 13, an operation of the MAXBET button 14, an operation of therepeat bet button 15, and an operation of the start button 16,respectively. Additionally, upon reception of the switch signal that isoutput from the repeat bet switch 123 or the start switch 124, a game isstarted with the number of bets that is set by the player or the numberof bets the same as the last time.

(Step S2)

When the start reception processing of step S1 is performed, the CPU 101transmits betting number information to the main unit SV. Here, thebetting number information refers to the number of credits that theplayer bets to start a play in the game machine GM. In other words, itmeans information of the number of credits which is bet to start theplay in the game machine GM, and, as a result, is subtracted from thecredits possessed before the start of the play.

In addition, in a case where there is a game which directly uses themedal, such as a pusher game, in the game machines GM 1-GM 4, “playmedia (medal) insertion number information” is transmitted instead ofthe information on the betting number information. Here, if it is a gamethat starts a play immediately after insertion of a play medium such asa medal, the play media insertion number information indicatesinformation which represents the number of the play media. On the otherhand, if it is a game where the play medium is used at the time when anoperation means, such as a start button or an insertion button, isoperated after insertion of the play medium, the play media insertionnumber information indicates operating information of the operationmeans, which serves as a trigger for using the play medium. In thepresent embodiment, play media usage number information includes thebetting number information and the play media insertion numberinformation.

(Step S3)

When the start reception processing of step S1 is performed, variouslottery processing is carried out based on the switch signals that areoutput from the BET switch 121, the MAXBET switch 122, the repeat betswitch 123, and the start switch 124. Specifically, a lottery of theprize in the usual game carried out by using the variable display parts21-23 is carried out by using a random number value sampled by therandom number sampling means 113 and a predetermined lottery table, andsymbols which are stopped and displayed are decided. Additionally, aprize and a dividend thereof are determined based on the combination ofsymbols which are stopped and displayed on the valid winning line L.

(Step S4)

In the usual game processing, the variable display of the symbol rows31-33 is started on the variable display parts 21-23, and after apredetermined time period has elapsed, the symbols are stopped anddisplayed based on a lottery result of the lottery processing of theabove-described step S3. Further, the credit corresponding to apredetermined dividend is paid out, based on the combination of thesymbols which are stopped and displayed on the valid winning line L.

(Step S5)

In the above-described step S4, when the combination of the symbolswhich are stopped and displayed on the valid winning line L is thepredetermined combination (here, the jokers 44), the bonus game isstarted. The CPU 101 determines whether or not the jokers 44 arearranged on the valid winning line L.

(Step S6)

In the above-described step S5, the bonus game processing is carried outwhen it is determined that the bonus game is won. In this bonus gameprocessing, the CPU 101 continuously varies, and stops and displays thesymbol rows 31-33, for the number of times of game that is set by thelottery, without consuming the credit, and pays out the creditcorresponding to a dividend (a so-called free game).

On the other hand, in the above-described step S5, the CPU 101 ends thecontrol program, when it is determined that the bonus game is not won.

(Step S7)

When any one of the prizes is whether or not in the above-described stepS4 or step S6, and a medal is paid out, the CPU 101 transmits creditinformation to the main unit SV.

It should be noted that, in the game machine GM according to the presentembodiment, it is possible to participate in the second game at the mainunit SV, even while the slot game is being executed.

Next, the main unit SV will be explained with reference to FIG. 6 toFIG. 8. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the main unit SV includes a cabinet200 which forms the entirety. JP informing lamps 201, which are formedby revolving lights for informing the player of information of thelottery status related to the JP, are provided on a top part of thecabinet 200. When the game machine GM exists which wins the jackpot inthe second game, the JP informing lamps 201 are lit.

A second game display monitor 202 and side LEDs 203 are provided on afront face of the cabinet 200. The second game display monitor 202 isformed by a liquid crystal display widely used in general. In addition,a roulette game, which is the second game, and the amount of money ofwon in the roulette game are displayed on the second game displaymonitor 202.

A main unit part 300, a first game housing part 400, and a second gameexecuting part 500 are provided inside the main unit SV. Each of theseis formed by a substrate provided with a CPU and the like. FIG. 7 is ablock diagram schematically illustrating the inside of the main unit SV.

The main unit part 300 is divided into a single housing control part anda second game control part 320. A communication part 311, a bookkeepingpart 312, a wager determination part 313, and a token lottery part 314are provided in the single housing control part 310.

The communication part 311 transmits and receives betting amountinformation and denomination information to and from each of the controlparts 400 and 500 through the main unit control part 300. It should benoted that the communication part 311 corresponds to betting amountinformation receiving means and to play media usage number informationreception means in the present embodiment.

The bookkeeping part 312 has a role to record the number of medalsinserted by the player, the number of medals paid out, the number oftimes of play, and the operation result such as operating time, and todisplay, on the monitors 3, 4 and the like of the game machine GM 1according to a request of an administrator of the game machine GM andthe main unit SV.

The wager determination part 313 obtains, for each game, the bettingnumber information of the credit that is bet by the player in the gamemachine GM. Additionally, the number of times of token lottery(described in details later) is automatically calculated based on thedenomination information and the betting number information obtained.Further, in the present embodiment, the game machine GM determines, foreach game, the betting number information of the credit. However, thegame machine GM may determine the total number of bets of the credit fora predetermined number of times of game. The same applies to a tokenlottery (described in details later). The token lottery may becollectively performed by adding up the wager for a predetermined numberof times of game in the game machine GM.

The token lottery part 314 holds a lottery on whether or not to give atoken to the player, based on the amount of bets determined by the wagerdetermination part 313. A lottery is held for the token for each gameaccording to the amount of bet. The token is a play medium differentfrom the medal that is inserted into the game machine GM, and the creditthat is bet for each game by the player. In addition, the token may bethe one which is actually paid out to the player as a play medium otherthan the medal, and may be the one which is stored in the game machineGM or the main unit SV as data or the like, but not be paid out to theplayer as a tangible entity, such as a medal or currency. Further, whenthere is a possessed token when the player ends the play, it can beconverted into medals. When the possessed token is converted intomedals, the possessed token may be directly converted into medals, orthe possessed token may be temporarily converted into the credit of themain game, and the credit may be converted into medals. It should benoted that the token corresponds to a specific play medium in thepresent embodiment. Moreover, the token lottery part 314 corresponds tospecific play media lottery means in the present embodiment.

Moreover, the second game control part 320 is provided with a timer part321, a communication part 322, and an image output part 323. The timerpart 321 measures the timing of an opening performance and the timing ofa game start in the second game. In the present embodiment, the secondgame is started/executed at fifteen-minute intervals. The communicationpart 322 transmits and receives various kinds of information in thesecond game to and from the second game executing part 500. The imageoutput part 323 outputs various image data in the second game to thesecond game display monitor 202.

The first game housing part 400 is provided with a second game monitordisplay control part 401, a medal reception/payout control part 402, acommunication part 403, a token number storage part 404, and a tokennumber display part 405. The second game monitor display control part401 performs control for displaying various kinds of performance in thesecond game on the second game display monitor 202. The medalreception/payout control part 402 controls the betting and the payout inthe game machines GM. It should be noted that the medal reception/payoutcontrol part 402 corresponds to second game privilege giving means inthe present embodiment. The communication part 403 transmits andreceives various kinds of information to and from the main unit part 300and the game machines GM. It should be noted that the communication part403 corresponds to betting amount information reception means and playmedia usage number information reception means in the presentembodiment. When winning a lottery by the token lottery part 314, thetoken number storage part 404 stores the token number thereof. In a casewhere the token is already obtained, and further the token lottery iswon, the token amount that is won and the current token amount are addedup and stored. It should be noted that the token number storage part 404corresponds to a specific play media storage means in the presentembodiment. When some token amount is stored in the token number storagepart 404, the token number display part 405 displays the possessed tokenamount (This display may be made in the game machine GM, or may be madeby providing a display part to the main unit SV. Additionally, anotherdisplay device may be provided in the vicinity of the game machine GMfor displaying the token amount). It should be noted that the tokennumber display part 405 corresponds to a specific play media givinginforming means in the present embodiment.

Additionally, the first game housing part 400 includes the samestructure as the game machine GM, which is described in FIG. 2, so as tofunction as a game machine (a game machine in which the main game can beconducted), in a case where the main unit SV further functions in astand-alone manner (a detailed description and an illustration areomitted, since they are already described in FIG. 2).

The second game executing part 500 is provided with a second gamecontrol part 510 and a communication part 520. The second game controlpart 510 is further divided into a timer part 511 and a game performingpart 512. The timer part 511 measures the timing of the openingperformance and the timing of the game start in the second game, as inthe timer part 321. However, since the function of the timer part 511 isthe same as that of the timer part 321, the timer part 511 may beomitted. The game performing part 512 carries out control from the startto the end of the second game. The communication part 520 transmits andreceives various kinds of information to and from the main unit part300.

Next, control in the first game housing part 400 will be explained withreference to FIG. 8.

(Step S110)(Step S120)

When the main game is conducted in the game machine GM, the bettingamount information is transmitted, for each game, to the first gamehousing part 400, as already explained in FIG. 5. Additionally, thefirst game housing part 400 receives the betting amount information(wager information) and the denomination information (“wagerinformation/denomination information”). In addition, the “denominationinformation” will be described later.

When the betting amount information is received, token lotteryprocessing is executed (step S120). That is, when a game in the gamemachine GM is conducted, the token lottery processing is carried out.This token lottery processing will be described later.

In addition, as mentioned above, even when there is a game that directlyuses a medal, such as the pusher game, in the game machines GM 1-GM 4,the same as described above, the first game housing part 400 receivesthe medal usage number information and the denomination information(“medal usage number information/denomination information”).

(Step S130) (Step S140)

When the token lottery processing is carried out in the above-describedstep S120, or it is determined that the betting amount information fromthe game machine GM is not received in the above-described step S110, itis determined whether or not second game starting information isreceived.

When the second game starting information is received, second gameexecution processing is carried out (Step S140).

On the other hand, in the above-described step S130, when it isdetermined that the second game starting information is not received,the processing ends.

As described above, in the above-described step S130, it is determinedwhether or not the second game starting information is received in thefirst game housing part 400. The starting information on the second gameis transmitted from the second game control part 320 in the main unitpart 300 to the first game housing part 400. Specifically, the timerpart 321 of the second game control part 320 measures a predeterminedtime period (as described above, fifteen minutes), and transmitsinformation on the start/execution of the second game to the first gamehousing part 400, every time the predetermined time period has elapsed.Here, control in the second game control part 320 will be explained withreference to FIG. 9.

(Step S131)

The second game control part 320 determines whether or not thepredetermined time period (fifteen minutes) has elapsed in the timerpart 321. The determination is repeated until the predetermined timeperiod has elapsed.

(Step S132)

In the above-described step S131, when it is determined that thepredetermined time period has elapsed, the second game control part 320transmits the second game starting information to the first game housingpart 400.

(Step S133) (Step S134)

When the second game starting information is transmitted in theabove-described step S132, the second game control part 320 resets thetimer count of the timer part 321 (step S133), and actuates the timerpart 321 again to start the timer count (step S134).

In this manner, the second game control part 320 manages thestart/execution of the second game, and controls to execute the secondgame in the game machines GM 1-GM 4 at the predetermined time intervals(fifteen minutes). As a result, players who play different gamesmutually at normal time can participate in the second game together.Therefore, it is possible to provide the characteristics of a game, suchas a sense of unity and competitive spirit, which cannot be obtainedfrom the main game. Moreover, a player who plays the main game canclearly recognize a time when the second game is started next.Therefore, the limitation is not imposed on the player that the maingame must be continued without rest in order to participate in thesecond game. As a result, the player can continue the play with freepace. Moreover, since the next start time of the second game is clear,there is no possibility of decreasing the ability to pull in morecustomers, even immediately after a high dividend payout is performed orimmediately after the end of the second game.

Next, the token lottery processing in the above-described step S120 willbe explained with reference to FIG. 10.

(Step S121)

In the token lottery processing, first, token lottery request processingis carried out. In the token lottery request processing, information forholding the token lottery is transmitted from the first game housingpart 400 to the main unit part 300. Additionally, the token lottery isheld by the token lottery part 314 of the main unit part 300.

Further, when the token lottery is held by the token lottery part 314,information on whether or not a win is obtained is transmitted from themain unit part 300 to the first game housing part 400.

Then, when the token lottery information on whether or not a win isobtained transmitted from the main unit part 300 is received in thefirst game housing part 400, the token lottery request processing ends.

(Step S122) (Step S123)

When winning the token lottery in the above-described step S121, tokenis paid out (step S123). As described above, the token may be actuallypaid out to the player as the play medium which is different from themedals, or may be stored, as data or the like, in the game machine GM orthe main unit SV without actually paid out to the player.

Next, the second game execution processing in the above-described stepS140 will be explained with reference to FIG. 11.

(Step S141)

First, it is determined whether or not there is a token that the playerpossesses. Here, the processing end when it is determined that there isno token that the player possesses.

(Step S142) (Step S143)

On the other hand, in the above-described step S141, when it isdetermined that there is a token that the player possesses, betting tothe second game is accepted for a certain period of time. When thebetting to the second game is closed, it is determined whether or notthere is a bet to the second game (step S143). Here, the processing endswhen it is determined that there is no bet to the second game.

(Step S200)

In step S143, when it is determined that there is a bet to the secondgame, information for conducting the second game is transmitted from thefirst game housing part 400 to the second game control part 320 of themain unit part 300. Additionally, the second game control part 320controls the second game executing part 500 to start the second game.

Further, when the second game is conducted by the second game executingpart 500, information on the result thereof is transmitted from thesecond game executing part 500 to the first game housing part 400 viathe main unit part 300 (the second game control part 320). In addition,the second game control part 320 and the second game executing part 500correspond to second game control means in the present embodiment.

(Step S144)

When operation processing of the second game executing part in theabove-described step S200 ends, thereafter, the first game housing part400 receives the result information on the second game transmitted fromthe main unit part 300 (the second game control part 320).

(Step S145)

In addition, it is determined whether or not the result information onthe second game is a win in the second game (step S145).

(Step S146)

In the above-described step S145, when it is determined that a win isobtained in the second game, credit information corresponding to thewinning result is transmitted to the game machine GM.

On the other hand, in the above-described step S145, when it isdetermined that a win is not obtained in the second game, the processingends.

Here, the token lottery by the token lottery part 314 of the main unitpart 300 will be explained with reference to FIG. 12.

The token lottery is carried out based on the wager information and thedenomination information (credit unit price information) in the gamemachine GM, as already explained. Among these, the denominationinformation defines a value, i.e., how many medals correspond to onecredit in the first game, and is set to one (i.e., one credit=one medal)in the present embodiment. In addition, a plurality of settings can beprovided in advance for the denomination information. For example, bypreparing a plurality of settings, such as Setting 1 “one credit=onemedal”, Setting 2 “one hundred credit=one medal” and the like, even wheneach of the game machines GM 1-GM 4 is a game machine with differentdenominations, the second game can be played together after holding thetoken lottery without contradiction.

That is, the credit unit price information is converted from the wagerinformation in the game machine GM, based on a credit conversion tablewhich sets in advance the value of a medal used in the game machine GM,i.e., how much credit corresponds to the value of the medal (tableswhich are divided for respective plurality of settings, such as theabove-described Setting 1 and Setting 2). In other words, it furtherincludes, as a component, credit unit price conversion means (play mediavalue conversion means, play media value conversion step) for convertingthe value of the medal (the play medium) used in the game machine GM(the game device) based on a predetermined conversion table.

Here, the denomination information will be explained more specifically,taking a case where currency can be used in the game machines GM 1 andGM 2 as an example. In the game machine GM 1, one hundred-yen (about onedollar) is set to be one credit. On the other hand, in the game machineGM 2, one yen (about one cent) is set to be one credit. In such a case,there is one hundred times of difference in the value of one creditbetween the game machines GM 1 and GM 2. As a result, the potentialvalues of token are obviously different among the players, when lotteryis held based only on the betting information in each of the gamemachines GM 1 and GM 2. Under such circumstances, when the second game,which is a game to be played together, is played, unfairness obviouslyoccurs among the game players. However, as mentioned above, the creditunit prices between the game machines GM 1 and GM 2 can be adjusted bysetting the denomination information and holding the token lottery basedon the betting information and the denomination information in thepresent embodiment. In addition, when the credit unit prices areconstant among the game machines GM 1-GM 4, it is also possible to omitthe use of the denomination information.

(Step S301) (Step S302)

Here, “t” represents the betting information, i.e., the number of timesof holding the token lottery which is automatically calculated from thedenomination information and the number of credits bet in the main game.For example, in a case where token lottery is held once every time onemedal is bet, when one credit is set to correspond to one medal, thetoken lottery is held once every time there is a one-credit bet, whilewhen one credit is set to correspond to one hundred medals, the tokenlottery is held once every time there is a one-hundred-credit bet. Here,a description will be given by taking a case as an example where thetoken lottery is held once every time one credit is bet, and when t=10,i.e. when ten credits are bet in the main game. For example, the tokenlottery is held with a winning probability of 1/250 in the presentembodiment.

(Step S303)

When winning the token lottery in the above-described step S302, onetoken is paid out. Additionally, the token amount is stored in the tokennumber storage part 404, and further the player is informed of the tokenamount possessed by displaying the number of possessed tokens on thedisplay part 405. On the other hand, when not winning the token lottery,the payout of the token is not performed, and the processing proceeds tostep S304.

(Step S304) (Step S305)

Unless the token is paid out in the above-described step S303, or thetoken lottery is won in step S302, t is decremented by 1 (step S304).

Additionally, the processing from the above-described step S302 to stepS304 is repeated until t=0 is satisfied.

In this manner, in the token lottery, the number of times of tokenlottery corresponding to the denomination and the number of credits betare held. Therefore, when the denomination and the number of credits betare increased, the probability of winning the token lottery is alsoincreased for the corresponding amount.

In addition, the winning probability of the token lottery may be changedin accordance with the denomination and the number of credits bet. Forexample, a plurality of lottery tables are prepared for the tokenlottery in accordance with the denomination and the number of creditsbet, and the lottery table is selected depending on the denomination andthe number of credits bet by the player. It is assumed that, when thedenomination and the number of credits bet are high, the lottery tablehaving a high winning probability is selected. According to thisconfiguration, when the denomination and the number of credits bet areincreased, the probability of winning the token lottery is increased forthe corresponding amount.

Additionally, the above-mentioned embodiment is merely one example ofthe token lottery. For example, it is possible to apply a lottery methodwhere, when t=10, a lottery is held once with the winning probability(probability of 1/25 in the above-mentioned example) ten times that ofthe case when t=1.

In this manner, in the present embodiment, the token lottery is heldbased on the number of credits each player bets in a play of the maingame. Therefore, even among the players having the different numbers ofcredits bet to the play of the main game, the winning probability of thetoken to be obtained is 1/250 with respect to one credit. Thus, thevalue of one token each possesses is the same. With such aconfiguration, even when a plurality of players play the second gametogether, they can conduct a play of the second game by betting thetokens having the same value. Therefore, it is possible to provide aplay which does not cause a feeling of unfairness among the playerssimultaneously participating in the second game.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, in a case where there is adifference among the denomination (the credit unit price) of the gamemachines GM 1-GM 4 in the play of the main game, an adjustment of thenumber of times of token lottery (or an adjustment of the winningprobability) is performed based on the number of credits and thedenomination information. Therefore, the betting amount required intheory for obtaining one token becomes equal, even among the gamemachines GM 1-GM 4 with the different denomination (credit unit price)and the different numbers of credits bet to the play of the main game.With such a configuration, even when a plurality of players, who conductplays at the game machines GM 1-GM 4 with different denomination (creditunit price), play the common second game, they can conduct the play ofthe second game by betting the tokens having the same value. Therefore,it is possible to provide a play which does not cause a feeling ofunfairness among the players simultaneously participating in the secondgame.

Next, a roulette game, which is conducted as the second game, will beexplained with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. FIG. 13 is a figureillustrating an image of a roulette game displayed on the second gamemonitor of the main unit SV. FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustratingprocessing of the roulette game performed by the second game executingpart 500. In addition, this processing is stored in a proper ROM (notillustrated) provided in the main unit SV, and is executed by a CPU (notillustrated) provided in the main unit SV.

(Step S401) (Step S402)

First, bet reception processing is performed in step 401. This betreception processing is processing of receiving participation in thesecond game by using a token. Therefore, in the bet receptionprocessing, it is first determined whether or not a token is possessed.Additionally, the bet reception processing loops until a predeterminedtime period has elapsed (step S402).

In the present embodiment, when there is a token that the playerpossesses, the player can perform an operation of betting of thepossessed token from the game machine GM, by an operation similar tothat in the main game. In addition, operation means dedicated to thesecond game may be separately provided in the vicinity of the gamemachine GM, and the operation may be accepted from the operation meansduring the second game.

That is, when there is a possessed token, the main unit SV(specifically, the second game control part 320) receives switch signalsthat are output from the BET switch 121, the MAXBET switch 122, and thestart switch 124, based on an operation of the BET button 13, anoperation of the MAXBET button 14, and an operation of the start button16, respectively. Further, upon reception of the switch signal that isoutput from the start switch 124, the game is started with the number ofbets set.

In addition, in a case where the player does not possess token,information is transmitted for displaying, on the sub-monitor 4, thatthere is no eligibility for participation in the second game. Moreover,in a case where the player does not participate in the second game evenwhen the player possesses the token (does not bet), information istransmitted for displaying, on the sub-monitor 4, that the player is notparticipating in the second game.

Additionally, in the second game, as illustrated in FIG. 13, at aroulette 1 where pictures of horses from No. 1 to No. 12 are drawn,which horse wins (wins a prize) is anticipated. On this occasion, whenthe player possesses a plurality of tokens, the tokens can be bet to aplurality of horses, or the plurality of tokens can be bet to one horse.

(Step S403)

In the above-described step S402, when a bet reception period ends, thesecond game executing part 500 starts rotations of all roulettes 1, 2and 3.

Here, in FIG. 13, the roulette 1 represents an outmost roulette wherethe horses to which numbers from 1 to 12 are attached are drawn, and theroulette 2 represents a second outmost roulette where characters from$10 to $60 are drawn. Additionally, the roulette 3 represents a roulettewhich is located in a second from a center, and on which characters from$70 to $500 are drawn. Moreover, there are frames where characters“ADVANCE” are drawn in the roulette 2 and the roulette 3. When the“ADVANCE” is hit, there is a privilege that the next roulette lotterycan be obtained. Further, though characters “WIN $1000” are drawn in thecenter, it is not a roulette and does not rotate.

In addition, when the rotations of the roulettes are stopped, the resultstopped in a frame where “1” of the roulette 1 is stopped in FIG. 13becomes the result of the second game. Additionally, the same applies tothe roulette 2 and the roulette 3 (both of the roulettes 2 and 3 stoppedat “ADVANCE” in this figure). That is, the example of FIG. 13 representsthat a player who bets a token to the horse “No. 1” wins $1000.

(Step S404) (Step S405)

In the above-described step S403, when the roulettes 1, 2 and 3 startsto rotate, the second game executing part 500 first stops the rotationof the roulette 1 after a predetermined time period had elapsed stepS404), and further stops the rotation of the roulette 2 after apredetermined time period has elapsed (step S405). In addition, thepredetermined time period until the rotation of the roulette 1 isstopped may be the same as or different from the predetermined timeperiod until the rotation of the roulette 2 is stopped.

(Step S406)

In the above-described step S405, when the rotation of the roulette 2 isstopped, it is determined whether or not prize money is determined.

(Step S407)

In the above-described step S406, when a winning result is determined,the first game housing part 300 pays out credits corresponding to thewinning result to the player (to the game machine GM at which the playeris playing).

(Step S408)

On the other hand, in the above-described step S406, when it isdetermined that the winning result is not determined, the second gameexecuting part 500 stops the rotation of the roulette 3.

(Step S409)

In the above-described step S408, when the rotation of the roulette 3 isstopped, it is determined whether or not the winning result isdetermined.

(Step S410)

Also in the above-described step S409, when it is determined that thewinning result is not determined yet, i.e., when the winning result isnot determined in any of the roulettes 1, 2 and 3, the creditscorresponding to $1000 are paid out as the maximum winning result.

On the other hand, in the above-described step S409, when the winningresult is determined, the credits corresponding to the winning resultare paid out in step S407.

In addition, in the present embodiment, as for the internal componentsof the main unit SV, the main unit part 300, the first game housing part400, and the second game executing part 500 are separated and explainedas the separate components, but this is not the limitation. For example,the main unit part 300 may include both the functions of the first gamehousing part 400 and the second game executing part 500. The first gamehousing part 400 may include the functions of the main unit part 300. Itis possible to apply various modifications of the configurations.

In addition, a medal payout unit (the above-described hopper drive means130 and hopper 17) can be provided to the main unit SV, though it is notillustrated in detail in the figures. According to such a configuration,when a player hits a jackpot in the second game, the number of medalscorresponding to the jackpot can be added as the credit to the gamemachine GM, or the number of medals corresponding to the jackpot can bereceived at the main unit SV.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Although the above-mentioned embodiments relate to a game in which amedal is used as a play medium, needless to say, the present inventioncan be applied to an arbitrary game system including a plurality of gamedevices in which a coin, a bill, or currency or the like is used as aplay medium.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   SV Main unit (Central control device)-   GM 1-GM 4 Game device (Play device)-   134 First game machine side communication part (Betting amount    information transmitting means)-   311 Communication part (Betting amount information reception means,    Play media usage number information reception means)-   314 Token lottery part (Specific play media lottery means)-   320 Second game control part (Second play control means, Second game    control means)-   402 Medal reception/payout control part (Second game privilege    giving means)-   403 Communication part (Betting amount information reception means,    Play media usage number information reception means)-   404 Token number storage part (Specific play media storage means)-   405 Token number display part (Specific play medium giving informing    means)-   500 Second game executing part (Second play control means, Second    game control means)

1. A central control device that is connectable to a plurality of playdevices in which a play can be executed by using a predetermined playmedium, and provides to the plurality of play devices a second playdifferent from the play, the central control device comprising: playmedia usage number information reception means for receiving play mediausage number information with respect to the play from each of theplurality of play devices; and specific play media lottery means forexecuting a lottery on whether or not to give a specific play mediumrequired when participating in the second play, based on the play mediausage number information received by the play media usage numberinformation reception means.
 2. The central control device according toclaim 1, wherein the specific play media lottery means holds the lotterywith lottery tables of different winning rates in accordance with anumber of the play media based on the play media usage numberinformation.
 3. The central control device according to claim 1, whereinthe specific play media lottery means holds the lottery only by apredetermined number of times for a number of the play media used basedon the play media usage number information.
 4. The central controldevice according to claim 1, wherein the play media usage numberinformation reception means receives, as the play media usage numberinformation, betting amount information with respect to the play fromeach of the plurality of play devices, and the specific play medialottery means executes a lottery on whether or not to give a specificplay medium required when participating in the second play, based on thebetting amount information received by the play media usage numberinformation reception means.
 5. The central control device according toclaim 1, wherein the play media usage number information reception meansreceives, as the play media usage number information, insertioninformation of the play medium with respect to the play from each of theplurality of play devices, and the specific play media lottery meansexecutes a lottery on whether or not to give a specific play mediumrequired for participating in the second play, based on the insertionnumber information received by the play media usage number informationreception means.
 6. The central control device according to claim 1,further comprising: a specific play media storage means for storing thatthe specific play medium is given, when winning the lottery by thespecific play media lottery means; and a specific play medium givinginforming means for informing, when giving of the specific play mediumis stored in the specific play media storage means, that the giving ofthe specific play medium is stored in the specific play media storagemeans.
 7. The central control device according to claim 1, furthercomprising a second play control means for starting/executing the secondplay at predetermined intervals.
 8. The central control device accordingto claim 1, wherein the play media usage number information receptionmeans receives the play media usage number information with respect tothe play from the plurality of play devices after converting a value ofone play medium used in each of the plurality of play devices into acommon.
 9. A game system comprising a plurality of game devices in whicha game can be executed each time using a predetermined play medium, anda central control device that is connected to the plurality of gamedevices and provides a second game common to the plurality of gamedevices, the game device including play media usage number transmissionmeans for transmitting play media usage number information to thecentral control device, and the central control device including playmedia usage number information reception means for receiving the playmedia usage number information transmitted from the play media usagenumber transmission means; specific play media lottery means forexecuting a lottery on whether or not to give a specific play mediumrequired when participating in the second game, based on the play mediausage number information; and specific play media storage means forstoring that the specific play medium is given, when winning the lotteryby the specific play media lottery means.
 10. The game system accordingto claim 9, wherein the central control device further includes secondgame control means for starting/executing the second game atpredetermined intervals.
 11. The game system according to claim 9,wherein the central control device further includes second gameprivilege giving means for giving, when a win is obtained as a result ofthe second game, the play medium used in the game device as a privilegefor the win.
 12. The game system according to claim 9, wherein the playmedia usage number information reception means receives play media usagenumber information with respect to the play from the plurality of gamedevices after converting a value of one play medium used in each of theplurality of game devices into a common.
 13. A control method of a gamesystem where a plurality of game devices, in which a game can beexecuted each time using a predetermined play medium, are connected to acentral control device that is connected to the plurality of gamedevices and provides a second game common to the plurality of gamedevices, the control method comprising: play media usage numberobtaining step for obtaining play media usage number information used toan execution of a game in each of the plurality of game devices;specific play media lottery step for executing a lottery on whether ornot to give a specific play medium required when participating in thesecond game, based on the play media usage number information obtainedby the play media usage number obtaining step; and specific play mediastorage step for storing that the specific play medium is given, whenwinning the lottery in the specific play media lottery step.
 14. Thecontrol method of the game system according to claim 13, wherein theplay media usage number information obtaining step further includes playmedia value conversion step for play media usage number information withrespect to the play from the plurality of game devices, and converting avalue of one play medium used in each of the plurality of game devicesinto a common.